In recent years, incidents of piracy have increased dramatically off the coast of the failed state of Somalia. In this case, a group of 14 pirates have hijacked a cargo ship full of machinery, but have yet to make any demands. They hold hostage a multinational crew of 20 (whose captain and two officers are American), the ship, and the cargo. The chief operating officer of an international shipping company must choose among alternative strategies to get the crew, cargo, and ship back safely with as little cost as possible.

Learning Objective:

The main objective of this exercise is to teach students about the responsibility of a firm to its employees and how to deal with organized crime. A secondary objective is to provide some understanding of the current ongoing situation in the failed state of Somalia and how to negotiate in high-risk situations. The case can be used in corporate responsibility, international business, or international management courses.